Oneida Public Library vote today noon-9 p.m.

ONEIDA >> On Tuesday March 5, residents in the Oneida Public Library Special District can vote on a proposed budget for its fiscal year 2013-14, and a slate of candidates running for three seats on the library's board.

The OPL board proposes an overall increase in the library's operating budget of 2.36 percent for a total of $376,000. Of this, the proposed library tax levy is $327,000 -- an increase of 2.56 percent.

Library officials say the proposed library tax on a $100,000 home in the City of Oneida would be about $44.55, an increase of about $1.05 over this year's library tax. Revenue expected in the proposed OPL Operating Budget for 2013-14 includes: a library district tax levy of $326,872; $14,000 in public funding and $21,000 in private funding; $13,000 in library revenue and additional unspecified funding of $1,000.

Advertisement

Total revenue expected will be $375,872.

The budget also outlines expenses as: $238,114 for personnel; $23,950 for building maintenance; office expenses of $12,620; insurance costs of $7,300; utility payments of $15,500; the library will spend $69,600 on acquisitions of materials; advertising costs of $300; $7,500 in professional services; and $988 is budgeted for miscellaneous expenses.

Total expenditures in the budget are $375,872

Of the proposed budget, $49,000 or 13 percent is expected to be garnered from public and private funding, individual donations and library fees. Not included in the proposed operating budget is funding for special programming and the OPL's adult literacy services, both of which depend on grants from private foundations for support.

"Staying within the tax cap was our number one budget priority," said Carolyn Gerakopoulos, OPL director. "However, we are facing some real concerns this year in regards to the uncertainty of future Madison County funding and Gov. Cuomo's proposal to increase the minimum hourly wage from $7.25 to $8.75 in July 2013." She said many staff members receive the minimum wage.

The library serves a population of 15,202. Its current operating budget of $367,210 translates to $22.33 spent for each person in the OPL Special District.

OPL Board President Eileen Kinsella said the budget has nothing to do with the ongoing capital campaign aimed at raising $5 million for the new library building on Main Street.

Current trustees Patricia Albaugh and Robert Wilkins are seeking re-election, while Lillian White is in the running for the seat being vacated by George Miller. Those elected March 5 to be OPL trustees will serve five-year terms, starting July 1. The OPL board currently consists of Albaugh, vice-president; Jim Bacher, Charles Chambers; Eileen Kinsella, president; George Miller, treasurer; Diane Roy, secretary; and Wilkins. They are volunteer, unpaid positions.

Registered voters in the library district can cast their ballots for the budget vote and the election of officers to the board from noon to 9 p.m. in the OPL's Meeting Room, 220 Broad St., Oneida.

If voters will not be in town that day, they can get an application for an absentee ballot. Call the library at 315-363-3050, or visit them online at www.midyork.org/Oneida

As soon as the votes are counted, The Dispatch will make the results known on the Web, on Facebook, via Twitter and SMS.